Tirana rekindles the protest
With Nano, Albania is heading toward the abyss
Azem Hajdari calls on the masses to demonstrate for the capture of this ruler who, by means of terror, violence and deceit, is keeping the toppled regime standing and seeks to preserve, through the use of violence and crime, the illegal interests and privileges of the communists. Yesterday, at 6:00 p.m., the first in a series of peaceful protests began in the center of the capital. The rally was attended by thousands of citizens from Tirana and other districts, most of them young people. The opening speech was delivered by the chairman of the PD Parliamentary Group, Azem Hajdari, who, among other things, declared:
We, the democrats, the student youth, the former political persecuted, the anti-communist associations, but also the absolute majority of Albanians, consider the government of Fatos Nano to be a decision against the vital interests and strategic interests of the Albanian nation and the national cause. Fatos Nano is anti-national because he placed himself and his government in the service of Belgrade and Athens. We are convinced that if the government of Fatos Nano continues even for a little while longer, he will extinguish the Albanian people's hope that one day true democracy, true pluralism, and Albania will move along the path of European civilization and integration into the great European family. This government constitutes a danger to the existence of Albania and of Albanians as a nation and as a state because, first and foremost, Fatos Nano is keeping the toppled regime standing through terror, violence and deceit. Second, it serves the most anti-national clans that every day are ruining Albanians and especially the poorer layers of the population. Third, this government, which came to power through violence and in an undemocratic manner, cannot bring the Albanian people out of the darkness into which it has itself plunged them. On the other hand, with this government Albania has entered an anti-European, anti-Albanian and anti-democratic course. Based on what we have said, we are convinced that the government of Fatos Nano must leave and be replaced by a technical government. Therefore we call on all Albanian youth, students, intellectuals, workers, peasants, traders, businessmen in Tirana and throughout Albania to take active part in the peaceful protest and not stop until the government of Fatos Nano has gone. I have the conviction that this gathering and the further protests of the anti-communist opposition will change this situation through which Albania is passing.
Among others, the meeting was also greeted by Bujar Bukoshi, the exiled Prime Minister of Kosovo, who said that the large participation and steadfast support for the anti-communist opposition will create the necessary climate to make possible a peaceful solution to the political deadlock and the return of Albania to the path of democracy and European integration. Mr. Bukoshi said that Fatos Nano's intervention in Kosovo harms the Albanian cause and creates premises for disintegrating the political class, for weakening the strength that Albanians in Kosovo have placed in the service of the Albanian national cause. Mr. Bukoshi stated that he is in favor of the peaceful unification of all Albanians in one democratic and modern state according to the model of the United Europe. The final speech at this meeting was delivered by Mr. Azem Hajdari, who said that the Nano government is terrorizing students, workers and peasants through police violence, its chief bandits and criminal elements. Mr. Hajdari emphasized that there is serious interference in the commissions of the conference of rectors and deans of the universities by appointing not professors and intellectuals, but individuals known for their links with criminal gangs and Yugoslav forces.
Photo: A. Fusha
Azem Hajdari calls on the masses to demonstrate for the capture of this ruler.